There have been so many incidents recently in our country that are heartbreaking and disturbing.  It is so easy to go on with our lives and not get involved with what we perceive is not directly in our path.  True leaders, however, cannot ignore the events transpiring around them.  True leaders speak on behalf of what is right; they are never silent in times of crisis and work with those they lead to focus on a common purpose to address the crisis.

I was born as a white American female.  I have never been a black American and I don’t know what it feels like to be treated as one.  I have been blessed to have many African-American friends and co-workers from whom I have learned much. On a personal level,